Aeroplane and the like.



G. H. ELLITHORPE. AEROPLANE AND THE LIKE.

' APPLICATION FILED JAN-23.1911. 1,175,51 1.

Patented Mar. 14, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

G. H. ELLITHORPE.

AEROPLANE AND THE LIKE.

, APPLICATION FILED JAN-23.1911- l, 175,5 1 l v Patented Mar. 14, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

m MM 111 G. H. ELLITHORPE. AEROPLANE AND THE LIKE. APPLICATION FILED JAN- 23,1911.

Patented Mar. 14, 1916.

.4 SHEETS-SHEET 4- K lrk" WW-Amman 449: affoznug bit arms a are.

GEORGE H. ELLITHORPE, 0F MARBLEHEAD, OHIO.

AEROPLANE AND THE LIKE.

Application filed January 23, 1911.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE H. ELLI- THORPE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Marblehead, county of Ottawa, State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in and Relating to Aeroplanes and the like; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and

following explanation of the accompanying drawings showing what I now consider to be my preferred embodiments from among other formations, arrangements and constructions within the spirit and scope of my invention.

An object of this invention is to provide formations and devices for attaining maximum stability and perfect control with the end in view of increasing the safety and range of use of aeroplanes.

A further object of the invention is to provide an aeroplane embodying a rigid main or sustaining plane of peculiar curvature and shape with the end in view of increasing the stability of the machine when in action.

A further object. of the invention is to provide an aeroplane embodying a rigid main sustaining plane of extended area and improved formation for the purpose of increasing the stability of the machine when in action and to permit the arrangement and location of the propelling means and the load beneath said plane and in rear of the front portion thereof. p

A further object of the invention is to provide a rigid main or sustaining plane for aeroplanes of approximately the same or greater length as breadth and concave both laterally and longitudinally at its under surface and convex at its upper surface for the purpose of increasing the stability of the aeroplane.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sustaining plane for aeroplanes having several lifting surfaces at its under side from front to rear, one of said lifting surfaces being arranged near the front of Specification of Letters Patent.

' Patented Mar. ML, 1916..

Serial No. 604,218.

said plane and in advance of the load carried thereby.

A further object of the invention is to provide an aeroplane with lateral balancing de vices arranged longitudinally above and below the main or sustaining plane and under the control of the operator.

A further object of the invention is to provide longitudinal series of vertical horizontally swingable balancing surfaces above and below a sustaining plane with controlling means for swinging the surfaces of each set either to the right or left, independently of the surfaces of the other set or simultaneously therewith and in the opposite direction for the maintenance of lateral balancing and guiding.

A further object of the invention is to provide several series of elevators or horizontally disposed elevating and depressing surfaces in rear of the rigid sustaining plane, with the surfaces of each series coupled to swing simultaneously in the same direction, and controlling means whereby the surfaces of all series can be swung to gether, or one series can be operated independently of the other.

A further object of the invention is to provide certain improvements in devices for laterally directing a rigid sustaining plane of extended area from front to rear.

' A further object of the invention is to provide an aeroplane with improved normally inactive manually controlled braking devices for the purpose of retarding headway under certain conditions counteracting dangerous dip movements, and deflecting the machine laterally.

A further object of the invention is to provide'certain improvements in details of construction and arrangements of parts and elements all for the production of a highly efficient aeroplane of maximum stability.

The invention consists in certain novel features in construction and in combinations and arrangements as more fully and particularly set forth hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1, is a perspective view of an aeroplane embodying the various features of my invention, the elevators or horizontal rudder surfaces being shown in position to cause the aeroplane to ascend. Fig. 2, is a longitudinal vertical section. Fig. 3, is a front elevation. Figs. 4, 5, 6, and 7, are detail views of various portions of the hand operated controlling devices for manipulating certain movable-surfaces. Figs. 8, 9, and 10, are detailviews of portions of the elevators or horizontal rudders and of one of the brakes. Fig. 11, is a diagrammatical view generally indicating the various movable surfaces and the various controlling or manipulating devices therefor including the manual operat-.

ing means.

In the specific example illustrated, I show the various features of my invention included in an aeroplane of the monoplane type, and I herein use the term aeroplane in its generic sense to include all devices having sustaining planes, irrespective of whether such planes are curved or flat.

I employ a rigid main or sustaining plane 1, of extended fore and aft or longitudinal area. In fact, the longitudinal length of the fixed or rigid sustaining surface is about the same as (or greater than) the transverse length or width of said plane. The top surface or face of this plane is curved both transversely and longitudinally so as to render said top surface convex both longitudinally and transversely. The under surface of the plane is generally concave both transversely and longitudinally. In front elevation, the front transverse or advancing edge 10, of the plane is arched or bowed upwardly from side edge to side edge (Fig. 3) but this curvature is gradually flattened out longitudinally toward the rear end of the rigid surface where the plane is approximately fiat or straight from one longitudinal edge 12, to the other, see line 11, Fig. 3. The under'or bettom surface of the plane from front to rear isy of a compound curvature although generally concaved to cause compression of the air thereunder and produce a lifting effect on the plane as it moves forward. At its front end, that is, at its forward portion in advancejof the load .or center of'gravity, the under" surface of the plane is longitudinally curved downwardly, see 13, to produce a lifting surface,fin,rear of which,

the curve longitudinally recedesor extends upwardly, see 14, and then continues down- .Wardly and rearwardly forming the elongated lifting surface 15, which can gradually broaden laterally to the rear flat end or line 11. The curvature constituting the lifting surface 13, can beformed by a transverse downward bulge of the bottom surface of the plane (see Fig. 2) gradually disappearing or reducing at its ends toward the side edges 12, see Fig. 3.

The bottom transverse concavity of the main plane forms opposite side lifting surfaces 16, curving from the longitudinal central portion of the plane in opposite directions downwardly and outwardly toward the opposite side edges 12 (see Figs. 2, 3).

"i'nese surfaces-16, constitute stabilizing surfaces tending to automatically maintain the lateral balance of the plane. For instance,

if a gust of wind should strike the main 7 .sweep of the Wind across the under surface of the plane and against the leeward lifting surface 16, and the air would consequently exert lifting pressure against the lower or depressed side of the plane tending to lift the same and restore lateral balance or equilibrium. In this connection it should be noted that the plane is open between the depending sides for free rush of air transversely across the under surface of the plane. This main or sustaining plane is rigidly and strongly constructed-and thoroughly braced, although I have not deemed it necessary to illustrate the systemlof bracing employed.

In the specificexample illustrated, the plane is formed by a strong double frame work of longitudinal and cross bars sustaining upper and lower layers or any suitable fabric to form the top convex impervious layer or surface (I, and the bottom impervious layer or surface 6, usually forming an intervening space or chamber which is closed at the edges of the plane.

A strong frame work 2. is rigid with and forms a rearward extension of the strong rigid frame work of the main sustaining plane. The frame extension 2, is fiat or horizontal and constitutes a rearward extension of the flat horizontal rear end portion of the rigid sustaining plane and is usually of the same width as the main plane. The rigid frame work of this extension comprises properly braced and trussed transverse and longitudinal bars, and the spaces between these various bars are occupied by horizontal vertically swingable and transversely disposed small planes or elevating -or horizontal rudder surfaces. These movable surfaces also form sustaining surfaces and in the aggregate constitute a flat horizontal sustaining surface in rearward extension of the rigid main plane tending to assist in mamtaining fore and aft or longitudinal equilibrium or balance and normally located in the plane of forward movement of the ma-' chine and offering the slightest possible resistance to the forward movement of the ma-. chine. The rear of the main plane is fiat and said extension of movable surfaces is flat and horizontal, and hence the dragging or retarding action of the rear end of the machine in passing through the air, is reduced to the minimum. The said elevating or horizontal rudder mechanism consists of a multiplicity of transversely and horizontally disposed and vertically swingable com-- paratively small planes or surfaces of a shutter-like arrangement. These elevator surfaces when in the fiat or horizontal positions approximately meet or close together to form a practically closed sustaining plane or surface. These movable surfaces occupy the full width and length of the frame work 2, in rearward continuation of the rigid sustaining plane, and are divided into series both'transversely and longitudinally of the machine. Each longitudinal series consists of parallel shutter-like planes or surfaces mounted to swing vertically on spaced parallel horizontal shafts 20, arranged transversely across the frame 2, the foremost surface 3, of the series being hinged at its front longitudinal edge so that its rear longitudinal edge is vertically movable to or from a position above the horizontal plane of the frame 2, to or fro-m a position belowsaid horizontal plane. The next surface 30, is mounted on an axis midway its longitudinal edges so that its front and rear longitudinal edges move in opposite directions when the surface is swung. The last or rear surface 31, swings on its rear longitudinal edge as an axis so that its front or advancing edge swings vertically. The surfaces 3, 30, 31, of each longitudinal series are coupled together to swing simultaneously to either depress the advancing edges of surfaces 30, 31, and raise the rear edges of surfaces 3, 30, and thereby cause depression of the rear end of the machine and hence cause the machine to ascend or climb, or if the surfaces 3, 30, 31, are swung in the opposite direction to elevate the advancing edges of 30, 31, and depress the rear edges of 3, 30, the air pressure engaging said surfaces will raise the rear end of the machine and cause the machine to glide downwardly or descend, as will be readily understood by those. skilled in the art.

Each longitudinal series of surfaces 3, 30, 31, extends from the rear end of the main plane to the rear end of the frame 2, but in the "particular example illustrated, occupies by one third of the width or transverse length of the frame 2, and hence three similar longitudinal series of surfaces 3, 30, 31 are provided transversely across the machine to wit, an end series A, a middle series B, and the opposite end series C, with their respective surfaces 3, 30, 31, in alinement.

The surfaces of each series. are coupled torudders. However, these elevating surfaces can also be utilized for-lateral balancing, also for lateral deflection of the machine. Operating or controlling devices are provided whereby this result can be accomplished, by operating the surfaces of the two side series A, C, simultaneously and in opposition independently of the middle series B, that is while the surfaces of the series B remain at rest. The series A, C, being arranged at opposite sides of the longitudinal center of the main plane, will have a twisting or lateral tilting action thereon if the surfaces of series A, be set to elevate and the surface of series B, be set oppositely, that is, to depress, or vice versa.

If it is desired to elevate one side of the machine to counteract tilting and maintain lateral balance or for other reasons, the elevating surfaces 3, 30, 31, on that side of the machinev will be swung to depress their advancing edges while the corresponding surfaces on the opposite side of the machine will be swung to the opposite position that is, to the dipping or depressing position. The surfaces on one side will hence act to elevate or lift one side of the main plane while the corresponding surfaces on the other side will act to depress the opposite side of the main plane.

I provide means which in case of an emergency or necessity can be manipulated to produce a dragging depressing pressure at the rear end of the rigid main sustaining surface and thereby tend to elevate the front end of the plane to counteract dangerous diving movements and for other purposes, and for longitudinal balancing purposes in so far as elevating the front end of the machine. I can also so arrange this dragging or braking device as to utilize the same to a certain extent for lateral guiding ordeflection, by arranging the same in sections, so that opposite sections will be independently operative and arranged at opposite sides of the longitudinal center of the machine.

In the example illustrated, I show this dragging or braking device in the form of three alined horizontal blades, planes or surfaces 4, arranged end to end and extending transversely across the upper surface of the flat rear end of the main sus taining plane, and in effect forming rearward continuations thereof, and at their front longitudinal portions mounted on an axis extending transversely of the main plane so that they can swing upwardly at their rear portions. Springs 40, normally and vieldingly hold these planes 1, down on the surfaces 3, in inactive positions so that the surfaces 4, and 3, normally act together in the operation of the elevators.

Operating devices are provided whereby the three planes 4, can be swung upwardly together to project up from the topsurface ofthe main plane to perform their dragglng action, and these operating devices are also. arranged so that either end .plane of the front end of said plane. This platform is designed to carry'the motor or motors, the operator, fuel andother load, so that the center of gravity of the machine will be a considerable distance below the mam plane and in the vertical plane of the longitudinal center thereof and about midway the fore and aft length thereof, particularly a considerable distance in rear of tion with the main plane. In the present the front end of the plane. 'This frame can be of any suitable construction rigidly and thoroughly braced andtrussed in'connecinstance, I show the frame comprisinga multiplicity of side uprights 60, arranged in longitudinal rows and continued upwardly through the sustaining plane and projectingabove the same and thereconnected and secured together'and to the main plane to provide for the top trussing andv bracing thereof. .This depending frame work-1s continued to the'rear' end of: the

, frame Q, forming the rearward horizontal .extension'ofthe' main plane. Also the up- ;r1ghts.60, are contlnued down below the platform 6, to form a, supporting frame "work 61', for certain lower balancing devices. The frame work involving uprights 60, also carries the alighting gear'7.

The main lateral balancing devices are arranged along'the longitudinal central line of the machine and above the forward portlon of the main plane and below the load carrying platform,-and comprise series of comparatively small shutterlike-arranged vertical planes or surfaces 8, 80, mounted to swing horizontally in either direction from the normal position of parallelism with the direction of forward movement, on vertical axes arranged intermediate their front and rear ends.

In the specific example illustrated, the

top balancing device consists of the three vertical planes 8, arranged one behind the other and mounted to swing on independent vertical axes and being arranged between the upwardly projecting rows of frame uprights. suitable operating and controlling devices for simultaneously swinging them to the right or left to the desired angle to the direction of forward movement and to coun- 60, and operating. to guide the machine to The planes 8, are provided with teract a tendency of the main plane to tilt laterally from equilibrium as will be well understood by those skilled in the art.

tance above the center of gravity of the'machine and hence=have a long lateral leverage thereon in maintaining lateral balance and counteracting lateral tilting.

' These planes are located a considerabledis- The lower balancing-device consists of I a row of vertical planes or surfaces 80, arranged below the center of gravity of the aeroplane mounted and swingable in a mam.

nor similar to corresponding planes 8, and

operating in conjunction therewith-to maintain lateral balance. The planes 80, are also provided with operating and controlling devices and the operating devices for the planes 8, 80, are arranged to operate said planes in unison but in opposite directions for in maintaining lateral balance, the planes 8, must resist lateral ,movement in one direction and planes 80, in the oppo- 1 site directions as said planes are above and below the center of gravity-about which the machine swings laterally.

The main laterally guidlng device or rudder is arranged along the longitudinal center of the machine and at the rear end thereof beneath the rear elevating planes and consists of a roW of vertical separately hungplanes 9, mounted to swing hor zontally'on vertical ,axes intermediate their front and rear ends and being carried by and arranged between the rows of uprights the right or'left as will bewellunderstoodby those skilled in the art. The several :rudder p-lanes9, are coupled up with suitable operating means to. swing in unison to the right or left on their several axes.

. In the example illustrated, I show three screw propellers for driving the machine,

said propellers to be actuated by any suit-- able motor or motors. These ropellers are all arranged below the main sustaining planeso that the said plane will secure the benefit of the upholding or sustaining actionof theair'compressed bythe propellers.

Of these propellers, one 5', is arranged at v the longitudinal center of-the machine at the front end of the load carrying frame.

. and the others 50, arranged at opposite sides of. said frame about midway the length thereof, whereby certain advantages are attained in distributing the pressure below the main plane, and in other respects.

Var1ous means can be provided for plac- 1 ing the rudders 9, under the control of the operator. For instance, I show foot pedals 92, carried by a lever if so desired, mounted on the floor or platform 6, within convenient reach of'thef operators seat, and

connected by flexible pull connections 93, to 1 the lateral arms or cranks 94, rigid with and extending laterally from opposite sides of said rudder planes. The connections 98, extend along opposite sides of the row of rudder planes and are connected to each plane through the medium of said arms and are connected to the foot pedals respectively, so that one foot pedal will swing all the rudder planes in one direction, while the other pedal will swing said planes in the opposite direction.

As convenient means for operating the three dragging or brake planes, I show three adjacent upright hand levers all, fulcrumed t0 the load carrying platform and arranged within convenient reach from the operators seat. ,These levers are mounted to be capable of independent swing forwardly and rearwardly and are operatively connected with the three brake planes, respectively, by flexible pull connections 42. These connections can extend through or over suitable guides to points above the main frame and then rearwardly above said plane and downwardly to the free ends of said brake planes to swing the same upwardly against the tension of their springs when the levers are operatively thrown. As the levers must hold the brake planes up against the tension of the springs tending to depress said planes, I provide tooth sector bars 43, to engage teeth carried by the levers for the purpose of holding said levers in brake plane upholding positions. Either side lever can be independently swung to independently raise either side brake plane. When it is desired to raise all of the brake planes, the center lever is operatively thrown. This lever carries a cross piece or head 44, which engages the other two lever to operatively swing them with the center lever.

Various means can be provided for operating and controlling the lateral balance surfaces 8, 80. For instance, in the specific example illustrated, I show a system of flexible pull connections from said surfaces to a manually operated steering wheel device arranged within convenient reach of the operators seat or station. Each horizontally swingable vertical surface 8, 80, is provided with lateral arms 81, projecting in opposite directions from the vertical axis thereof. Two pull connections 82, are arranged along the opposite sides of the shutter-like row of surfaces 80, and are secured to all the arms 81, along their respective sides and from thence extend over suita.ble guides to the opposite ends, respectively, of a cross head 88, to which they are secured. This cross head is fixed midway its ends to the lower portion of an upright standard 84, suitably supported and mounted to be capable of rotationabou't its longitudinal axis, and at its upper end provided with a lateral handle or crank arm 810, rigid therewith. It is obvious that rotation, of this standard in one direction will through the medium of one of the flexible pull connections 82, swing all of the surfaces 80, simultaneously and uniformly in the same direction, while rotation of said standard in the opposite direction will through the medium of the other pull connection simultaneously swing all of the surfaces 80, in the opposite direction. I show the standard 81, mounted on the platform 6, through the medium of a ball and socket support and connection permitting the rotary movement of the standard just described, and also permitting fore and aft swing of the standard on its lower end for the purposes hereinafter described. This ball and socket mounting or connection can consist if a socket plate 85, fixed to the platform and loosely receiving the ball 86, on the lower end of the standard, Figs. 6 and 7.

The vertical lateral balancing surfaces 8,

are simultaneously swung to the right or left by two flexible pull connections 87, arranged on opposite sides thereof and secured to the oppositely extending arms thereof, as described in connection with the operating means for surfaces 80. These connections 87 pass over suitable guides and are secured, respectively, to the opposite ends of a cross head 88, at its center fixed to a tube or sleeve 89, arranged longitudinally on the standard 84, and rotatable thereon. This sleeve 89, is provided with a hand or steering wheel 890, fixed to its upper end in close proximity to the adjusting handle 840, which is arranged closely thereover (Fig. 6) and is normally locked thereto to move therewith by a suitable ratchet mechanism 841.

The standard 84, and sleeve 89, are normally locked together through the medium of the hand wheel, ratchet mechanism and adjusting handle, to turn or rotate as one, and hence swing the cross heads 83, 88, simultaneously. The pull connections 82, 87, are so arranged with respect to their cross heads 83, 88, that swing thereof will swing the vertical surfaces 8, 80, in opposite directions for the purposes and reasons hereinbefore set forth in maintaining the lateral balance of the aeroplane.

The lateral balance controlling hand wheel 890, is within convenient reach of the operators station and by turning this wheel to the right or left he can swing the lateral balancing surfaces, the surfaces 8, to resist lateral tilting in one direction and the surfaces 80, to resist lateral movement in the opposite direction. The adjusting handle or lever 810, is provided to permit relative or independent adjustment of the surfaces 80, with respect to the surfaces 8, to attain perfect balance or uniformity in their action. The handle 840, can be turned a notch or so to the right Or left to independfixed thereto.

ently set one set of said balancing surfaces to cause the same to act uniformly with the other set of balancing surfaces, but the ratchet connection between the wheel and handle is designed to cause said standard and sleeve and cross heads 88, 88, to normally move as one.

Various means can ating and controlling the elevator surfaces or ho-rizrntal rudders 8, 80, 81, to simultaneously and uniformly swing all three sets A, B, C, of said rudders, or to simultaneously swing the sets A, C, in opposite directions. For instance, I show a steering wheel 82, having its hub 88, centered and turnable on the sleeve 89, and having a cross head 84, The opposite ends of this crcss head 84, are secured to and in the two endless flexible pull connections 85, arranged longitudinally of the aeroplane framework and carried by and traveling oversuitable guides. ()ne connection 85, is operatively connected with the horizontal surfaces of series A, to swing the same while the other connection 85, is connected with the surfaces of series C to swing the same.

Each endless connection 85, is operatively connected with the set of surfaces 8, 80, 81,

controlled thereby through the medium of T or vertical multiple arm levers 86, at their opposite horizontal arms having slot and pin connections 87 with the free end portions of adjacent surfaces the depending vertical arms of said levers being secured to the endless connection. The arrangement is such that when the endless connection is caused to longitudinally travel; in one direction, the levers are thereby rocked vertically in one direction thereby elevating certain edges of the surfaces and depressing the adjoining edges of adjacent surfaces as clearly indicated by Figs. 2, 8, and 10.

- When the endless connection is caused to travel in the opposite direction said T levers are oppositely rocked and said surfaces are oppositely swung thereby.

When the steering wheel 82, is rotated in one direction, the cross head 84, carried thereby will be correspondingly rocked to cause one endless connection 85, to travel in one direction and the other connection 85, to travel in the opposite direction, and hence the sets A, C, of surfaces 8, 80, 81 controlled by said connections will be swung in opposite directions, one to cause, depression of the rear end of the main plane, the other to cause elevation of said plane. steering wheel is rotated in the other direction the surfaces of said sets will assume reversed positions.

I can connect the two endless connections by several transverse eveners 88, to maintain the relative arrangement of said connections and cause uniform movement thereof. The surfaces 8, 80, 81 of the center series B, are

be provided for oper When said transverse or evener bars 88, see Fig. 11', so

that bodily movement of said bars in one direction with the connections 85, will through pull connections 85, 89, simultaneously raise the advancing edges of all the. elevating surfaces of the series A, B, C, while'movement of the connections and bars in the opposite direction will depress the advancing edges of all of said surfaces. This result is attained by swinging the wheel standard carrying" the various wheels and their sleeves or hubs either forwardly or rear wardly according to whether the horizontal surfaces are to be swung down or up. When thus swung to operate the horizontal surfaces to elevate or depress the front end of the main plane, the wheel standard rocks on the ball and socket joint supporting its lower end and the cross head 84, is carried bodily forwardly or-rearwardly, instead of merely rocking on the standard as a center as it does when the steering or hand wheel 82, is rotated, which action does not cause operative travel of the pull connections 89. Attention is called to the fact that the cross arms 88, 88, are so formed as not to cause operative movement of the lateral balancing surface pull connection 82,87, when the wheel standard is swung forwardly or rearwardly on the .ball and socket joint mounting as a center.

In the event that the pullconnections to the multiple vertical surfaces 9, forming the rudder controlling lateral direction, should break or otherwise become inoperative, the operator can control the lateral direction of the aeroplane by manipulating the lateral balancing devices involving the multiplicity of vertical surfaces 8, 80, as the aeroplane can be directed laterally by tilting the same. The aeroplane can also be steered or directed laterally by maniplating the side dragging or brake surfaces 4, and alsoby manipulating the series A, C of elevator planes 8, 80, 81.

.Should the main lateral balancing surfaces 8, 80, become inoperative, lateral equilibrium can be maintained under ordinary conditions by manipulating the two side brake surfaces 4, or the series A, C, of elevator surfaces.

In the event that the horizontal elevatorv main plane.

It is evident that various changes, modifications, and variations might be resorted to, and that features and elements might be omitted, without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and hence I do not wish to limit myself to the exact disclosure hereof.

What I claim is 1. An aeroplane, comprising a main plane in longitudinal length at least equal to the transverse width thereof, said plane being arched upwardly from side edge to side edge at its front or advancing edge and being approximately flat at its transverse rear or following edge, the under surface of said plane being concaved longitudinally and laterally, and main lateral balancing devices arranged above and below said plane along the central longitudinal line thereof and provided with manuall controlled actuating devices.

2. An aeroplane, comprising a rigid main sustaining surface transversely concaved at its under side and longitudinally concaved at its under side to provide lifting surfaces, said sustaining surface graduallv flattening rearwardly and at its rear or following end being transversely fiat, and an approximately flat sustaining plane in rearward continuation of said main plane and comprising series of shutter-like vertically swingable planes provided with manually operated controlling means.

3. An aeroplane comprising a main rigid sustaining plane longitudinally inclined downwardly and rearwardly at its under side and transversely concaved at the under side of its front end and gradually flattening transy'ersely toward its rear end and provided with a flat rearward extension constituting a sustaining surface and embodying vertically movable horizontal sustaining and elevator surfaces composed of series of shutter-like planes provided with controlling means. I

4. A rigid sustaining surface for aeroplanes. having longitudinal series of transverse horizontal elevator surfaces in rearward continuation thereof, said surfaces being swingable vertically and provided with manually controlled operating means in combination with lateral balancing planes arranged above and below said sustaining surface and provided with controlling means, and a horizontally swingable vertically arranged rudder plane arranged below said elevator surfaces and provided with manually controlled operating means.

Au aeroplane comprising a main sustaining plane, longitudinal series of horizrntallv disposed parallel elevator surfaces vertically swingable on axes arranged transversely of said aeroplanes, said ele vator surfaces being arranged in central and side longitudinal series at the rear of the aeroplane, and manually controlled means for simultaneously swinging all of said elevator surfaces to act uniformly, and

for simultaneously swinging the elevator surfaces of said side series in opposite directions to act in opposition.

6. An elevator or horizontal rudder for aeroplanes comprising series of closely aranged horizontally disposed vertically swingable surfaces, T-levers pivotally joined to the following and advancing edges of adjacent surfaces, endless flexible pull connections connected with said levers for operating the same, and manually operated means for actuating said pull connections.

7. In an aeroplane, in combination, several series of swingable directing planes, plane swinging pull connections for each series, means operatively connecting the respective pull connections to the respective series of planes, a vertically swingable standard, a hand wheel mounted thereon to rotate independently thereof and provided with a cross head connected to operate certain of said pull connections in opposite directions when the wheel is turned, and eveners between said last mentioned pull connections and to which the remaining pull connection is centrally secured, whereby all the pull connections will be uniformly operated by swinging said standard.

8. An aeroplane comprising a main supporting surface of extended longitudinal area and concaved at its under surface and provided with a depending longitudinal centrally arranged load supporting frame, propelling screws arranged beneath said plane so that the air compressed by said screws will tend to sustain the plane, a frame forming a rearward horizontal continuation of said surface and provided with a multiplicity of vertically swingable transversely arranged parallel planes adapted to close together shutter-wise and provided with operating means, a series of vertically arranged horizontally swingable rudder planes beneath said frame and mounted in a rear extension of said load supporting frame and provided with operating means, longitudinal series of vertical horizontally swingable planes arranged centrally above said supporting surface and below said load supporting frame, and operating means therefor.

9. An aeroplane comprising a main sustaining plane in longitudinal length at least equal to the transverse width thereof, a longitudinally arranged load carrying frame depending from said plane in the longitudinal center thereof, a front central screw propeller arranged under said planes in rear of the advancing edge thereof, two screw propellers arranged under the in termediate portion of the length of said plane and on opposite sides of the longitudinal center of the aeroplane, horizontally disposed vertically swingable shutter-like elevating planes arranged in rear of said sustaining plane and provided with operating means, vertically disposed horizontally swingable rudder planes provided with operating means and arranged in rear of said sustaining plane, and series of shutterlike lateral balancing planes arranged centrally above said sustaining plane and below said load carrying frame and provided with operating means.

10. In an aeroplane, a main frame ofextended fore and aft area having its top surface convexed laterally and longitudinally, and its bottom surface concaved laterally and longitudinally, and formed between its front and rear ends with a transverse downward bulge providing a front lifting surface and an extended rear longitudinal concavity, substantially as described.

11. An aeroplane comprising a rigid main sustaining surface, and a transversely-open load carrying frame depending therefrom along the longitudinal center thereof, said surface'being transversely concaved at its under side tov provide opposite stabilizing surfaces, an approximately flat surface forming a rearward continuation of said main surface and embodying vertically swingable transverse planes normally hori-- zontally arranged, and operating means therefor.

12. An aeroplane comprising a main sustaining plane and a depending load carrying frame arranged along the longitudinal center thereof and provided with a supporting platform locating thecenter of gravity of the aeroplane a distance below said sustaining plane and between the front and rear ends thereof, said sustaining plane provided at the under side of its front end with a lifting surface and along opposite sides of its under surface with opposite stabilizing surfaces, and having an extended flat rear end, provided with series of normallyhorizontally arranged transverse vertically swingable planes adapted to close together shutter-like and having manually operated controlling means.

13. An aeroplane provided with top swingable lateral balancing. surfaces, bottom swingable lateral balancing surfaces, a rotatable standard provided with a cross head, pull connections therefrom to one set of said surfaces, a hand wheel on and normally rotatable with said standard and' provided with a cross head, and pull connections therefrom with the other set of said surfaces, and means whereby the relative positions of said surfaces can be adjusted.

14. An aeroplane comprising a main supporting plane in longitudinal length at least equal to the transverse width thereof and transversely concaved at its under side and longitudinally concaved at its under side to provide lifting surfaces, said plane provided with a flat rearward extension constituting a sustaining surface having a series of closely arranged horizontally disposed vertically swingable surfaces provided with manually controlled operating means.

15. An aeroplane comprising a main supporting plane in longitudinal length at least equal to the tranverse width thereof and transversely concaved at its under side and longitudinally concaved at its under side to provide lifting surfaces, lateral balancing planes arranged above and below said main supporting plane and provided with manually operated controlling means, said main supporting plane provided with a frame forming a rearward horizontal continuation of said plane and provided with a multiplicity of vertically swingable transversely arranged parallel planes adapted to close together shutter wise and provided with operating means,and a load supporting frame depending from said main supporting frame.

1'6. An aeroplane comprising a main sup-- porting plane in longitudinal length at least equal to the transverse width thereof and transversely'concaved at its under side and longitudinally concaved at its under side to provide lifting surfaces, a horizontal rudder at the rear of said main supporting plane comprising a series of closely arranged horizontally disposed vertically swingable surfaces, T levers pivotally joined to the following and advancing edges of adjacent surfaces, endless flexible pull connections connected with said levers for operating the same, manually operated means for actuating said pull connections, said main supporting plane having alongitudinal series of vertical horizontally planes arranged centrally above it, and. a load supporting frame depending centrally from said main supporting frame.

17. An aeroplane comprising a main sup porting plane in longitudinal length at least equal to the transverse width thereof and transverselyiconcavedat its under side and longitudinally concaved at its under side to provide lifting surfaces, a longitudinally ar- I ranged load carrying frame depending centrally from said main'plane, vertically disposed and horizontally swingable rudder planes arranged upon the top surface of said main plane centrally and forwardly thereof and a centrally depending frame fixed to said load carrying frame having vertical horizontal swingable rudders fixed therein.

18. An aeroplane comprising a main supporting plane, a flat horizontal frame extending rearwardly from said main supporting plane, a series of vertically swingable planes mounted on said rearwardly extending frame, a longitudinally disposed load supporting frame depending centrally from In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEO. H. ELLITHORPE.

Witnesses:

W. N. Woonson, HUBERT E. PEOK. 

